Neighbour issue

sammyjammy

My back door is adjacent to my neighbours, probably about 30 inches separates them, she is a smoker and does so with her back door open.  In winter I smell nothing so I would suggest if you can that you really have a problem with your doors and windows in your property.  In summer if my back door is open for the cats and she comes out for a smoke I just shut the door, I don't slam it or ask her not to smoke, if you live in an attached house you just have to be a little more tolerant.

As has been suggested you don't say what the actual set up is but could you put a physical barrier in the space between your houses?

Skiddaw1

CurlySue2017 said:

Skiddaw1 said:

CurlySue2017 said:

BungalowBel said:

All I can say is the neighbour surely has a right to smoke a legal substance and cook food  within their own house and garden? 

This thread is hilarious!  I think this is the best response so far.  What has happened to people to make them become so utterly intollerant of anyone around them?  The term "get a life" springs to mind

A little unfair I think. It wouldn't bother me particularly (I used to smoke years ago myself and can cope with other people smoking near me) but I can understand why the OP is driven to distraction by it. Like so many neighbour issues, what one person finds perfectly acceptable another person finds intolerable.

OP, I think if it were me I'd have another try at making friends with the neighbour and seeing if you could reach an agreement. Tea and cake, etc. Be as conciliatory as possible.

OK I agree the last part may have been a little harsh!  But I stand by the rest of it. 

Maybe in my area people are just generally more tolerant of other people (they do say it's friendlier up Norf ) but I don't think anyone local to me would ever dream of asking someone not to smoke on their own property. 

If you can't tolerate the simplest of things that are part of normal every day life (millions smoke and I suspect more than that cook!!) then you need to find a house in the middle of nowhere. 

You can't expect everyone else around you to bow to your every little annoyance

We're up Norf too as it happens and our neighbours are all lovely.

As I say, it wouldn't bother me but again, to be fair, the OP didn't indicate they'd asked the neighbour not to smoke on their own property- only if said neighbour could perhaps move a little further away from OP's door/window when so doing. I don't think I'd have an issue if I was asked to do that (though I agree that cooking smells is a different issue altogether).

diystarter7

Hi

Reading some of the posts where people's origins are mentioned, IMHO that is totally unnecessary and irrelevant as the scenrios could have easily been posted with that info

As I've said I hate the smell of smoking plus its not good for anyone - i dislike most food smells unless i am eating it, lol.

I drink whiskey and at times larger and if i have not had a drink and smell it on others, I hate it

We are all different and smoking smells/dangers need to be addressed by the government in public spaces and where it affects others EG next door etc. The chatter about banning smoking in the UK is real and likley to be a reality within the next 10/20 years.

A detached house is the best way forward but we are not all able to afford one. The best option is that smoking is banned within a few years in all public spaces and gradually banned altogether.

_Sam_

diystarter7 said:

 The best option is that smoking is banned within a few years in all public spaces and gradually banned altogether.

I used to smoke, gave up years ago and would absolutely support the ban. But I'm curious how it could work.

If as a first step it is banned in public spaces, things are likely to get worse for people like OP as smoking in private spaces could then increase. If smoking is banned everywhere, would the government have resources to enforce it? 

diystarter7

_Sam_ said:

diystarter7 said:

 The best option is that smoking is banned within a few years in all public spaces and gradually banned altogether.

I used to smoke, gave up years ago and would absolutely support the ban. But I'm curious how it could work.

If as a first step it is banned in public spaces, things are likely to get worse for people like OP as smoking in private spaces could then increase. If smoking is banned everywhere, would the government have resources to enforce it? 

Hi
You make a valid point
The serious talk is ban it over the next 20 years or so by gradually rasing the age limit 

About enforcement, I believe the public, millions of them that can't stand the smell and the dangers of smoking will be aiding the
enforcement agencies with evidence.

No enforcement is ever going to be 100% look at speeding, using mobiles etc at the wheel of a vehicle, not clearing up dog mess, getting car taxed, drinking in certain public spaces, etc, etc but if we gave up on that bases 'it is not going to work then nothing would happen

Re smoking, I believe people power will enable enforcement via reporting

Thanks

YoungBlueEyes

The government will never totally ban smoking, where would they recoup all that lovely tax from? 

diystarter7

YoungBlueEyes said:

The government will never totally ban smoking, where would they recoup all that lovely tax from? 

I bet you they will as smoking revenue is less than years ago (based on infaltion) and the toll on epoples health inc secondary smoke costs us the taxpayers billons more than the income

Thanks

Rumana03

Maybe you could burn incense sticks and hope that this irritates her enough to move somewhere else and smoke?

All the people saying so what if she smokes...honestly what is that about? Second hand smoke can be just as bad for your health as smoking itself. Why should the OP have to put up with it? 

OP I also hate the smell of smoke. It irritates me so badly and gives me a headache. I think you should try and speak to her again but maybe wait until she is a better mood. And if that doesn't work then go to the council because the smoke is bad for health.

strawb_shortcake

I find vaping far more invasive than smoking, great big plumes of something smelling like candy floss or some other sickly sweet smell no thank you. 

My OH smoked for years, always outside and not once did the smell come through the windows into the house. When we had neighbours that smoked cannabis that was a completely different story. 

I don't think we'll see a complete ban on smoking, but think in time it will die out. I think Bristol is forecast to be smoke free by 2050??

elsien

I wonder what enforcement agencies would be forcing their way into people's private property on the grounds they are having a cigarette?